ISLAM NEWSROOM HAJJ UPDATES: 717 DEAD & 860+ HURT In Rush in Mina
Jammarat pillars near Mina (outside Makkah) - Over 3 million in Hajj this year. Some return home -- Others RETURN TO ALLAH.
Dying while in Hajj is NOT A BAD THING - According to scholars of Islam. In fact, it is something cherished and in some cases, even hoped for.
"WHY?" - you ask?
Islam teaches, this material world we live in is only temporary and is but a test or trial for all of us living here. The results or final judgment will be made known when the bodies are all brought back to life again in the resurrection following the death.
The ones who pass away while in pursuit of making their Creator (God Allah) pleased with them, by obeying His Commandments, while in a state of submission to Him, surrender to His Will, obedience to His Commandments and all the while maintaining their sincerity to Him and remaining in peace with whatever His Decree might be (All of this in Arabic = ISLAM) - these people are, in fact the successful.
These are the people in the highest level of Paradise with the prophets, peace be upon them all.
"But what did happen? How did they get killed?"
The rituals involved in Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah follow the activities of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him.
One of the things he did when asked to sacrifice his family by leaving them in the desert of Makkah, was to throw stones at the devil who was trying to temp him not to fulfill his vision of what Almighty Allah, wanted him to do.
There are three places where Ibrahim, peace be upon him, threw the stones is called the Jamarat.
Today those places are represented by very large pillars.
Millions of Muslims are all trying to replicate the actions of throwing 7 pebbles toward these pillars within a relatively short period of time over a 3 day period.
When too many are gathered together and even one falls down of fatigue or exhaustion, the rest are not able to go around the person who falls and as a result even more fall down and the case grows worse quickly.
Again, the injuries or even deaths may be morned, but are not viewed as a failure to complete the pilgrimage.
In fact, these are known to be a means for much forgiveness and even the highest level of Paradise.
Allahu 'Alim (God Alone Knows all things).
May Allah grant then peace in their resting place, fill their qabrs (graves) with light and grant them Mercy and the open doors to Jennah (Paradise), ameen.
Even the universe will end -
But Paradise is FOREVER
